About me

From the AVM SURVIVORS web site: "Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are defects of the circulatory system that are generally believed to arise during embryonic or fetal development or soon after birth. Although AVMs can develop in many different sites, those located in the brain or spinal cord can have especially widespread effects on the body".
I am currently undergoing embolizations with Dr. Wayne Yakes @ the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO every 8 weeks! Our lives are either planning a procedure, having a procedure or recovering from a procedure! The trick lately seems to be to keep the "bleeds" under control! My husband Mark is also my caregiver! He has become an expert wound care therapist, not to mention all around bundle of being just exactly what I need to get through the day and this ordeal we call an AVM! I recently finished 10 years of Embolizations w/Dr. Yakes and am finally ready for my next stage - Debulking and reconstructive surgery w/Dr. Robinson in CO - he is a dentist and plastic surgeon! Best advice to an avm patient - Stay positive and surround yourself with supportive people! Lots of faith, prayer and love are all crucial too!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Hi Family and Friends!

How is everyone? I'm almost ready to leave again for Colorado! This time, Celia will accompany me! In fact, we will try to hook up with Shalon and her sister Taryn! Shalon arrives the day we leave - but we'll have time to see each other for a bit! We'll definitely take pictures and share them with all of you!

Celia and I leave early on Tuesday morning and arrive in CO mid morning. I can't wait to get there - I have been in a lot of pain lately and the area under my left eye is back to being puffy again! My favorite part of the trip is being wheeled in to surgery and being put "under" - that way I feel no pain and just get some good rest! Next thing I know I'm waking up in recovery and hoping I see my nurse buddy Rick! If he's there - I've got it made in the shade! He will go above and beyond to make sure I am comfy, cozy and pain free!

I usually see Dr. Reed (the head/neck doctor)the day we arrive, but for whatever reason, my appt. w/him was canceled! My procedure will be the following day - Wednesday, @ Swedish Medical Center of course. I get booted out of the hospital the following morning - Thursday! About the time I'm being ousted from the hospital, is when Shalon will be arriving - so we're hoping to meet for lunch somewhere - before we have to return the car rental and head for the airport! Our flight leaves @ 5pm, but we need to be there @ least 2 hours before our flight leaves! I'm already missing Mark and I haven't even left yet! Sniff, sniff, boo hoo! I'll be talking both the kids with me, Saba and Rulon! Between Celia, the kids and a good book, I should survive missing Mark so much! Never mind the needles, alcohol and whatever Dr. Yakes has in store for me, huh? I love the whole group up there in CO - so I know I'm in good hands! Thank you everyone, for all your prayers and support! Love and hugs to Lupe from choir! I just spoke w/her this evening, she is a dear friend that keeps us in her daily prayer, as do so many of you! All of you should be proud to say you are a big part of a very special journey! Just think how wonderful it will be when it's all over and we can all say we did it together! Much love to all!

Cyndi

P.S. I'm putting in a photo of my little Saba - she is such a doll and I get so many compliments on her!